MS HB1402

Deletes the July 1, 2015 expiration date for Section 67-1-52, making the statute authorizing package retailer tasting and sampling events permanent instead of temporary.

Permits package retailers to conduct tasting or sampling events at their place of business with prior written approval from the Department of Revenue, where alcoholic beverages may be offered to consumers at no cost.

Limits tasting events to 4 hours maximum, restricted to cordoned-off areas separate from the point of sale, with participation limited to persons 21 years of age and older.

Restricts wine samples to 1.25 ounces per sample with a 5-ounce cumulative limit per person, and distilled spirit samples to 0.25 ounces per sample with a 1-ounce cumulative limit per person.

Requires package retailers to conduct no more than one tasting event per three-month period and to provide accounting of beverages consumed to the Department of Revenue within 10 days of each event.